The Herbs - Childrens TV | Jedi's Paradise The Herbs The Herbs is a 60’s Children’s TV animated show. It was designed for pre-school children, but I think it appeals to all ages and was one of the new colour 'Watch with Mother' titles. The Herbs was created by Michael Bond and animated by Ivor Wood at Filmfair (who were responsible for Paddington and The Wombles). The first episode was transmitted on 12th February 1968. Only 13 episodes were made of this delightful programme, but that isn't the end of this story. Parsley the Lion had become quite popular with the children that watched, so it was decided to give him his own show - Parsley the Lion and Friends. It was supposed to centre on Parsley more, but I think the original Herbs did that anyway. The new programme also included all the characters that we met in The Herbs. Story Each episode began with the narrator (Gordon Rollings) talking about herbs in the garden, and each time he mentioned a different one, then the herb (plant) would appear.

This was a magic herb garden, that you could only get access to by saying the magic word - Herbidacious. The door of the garden would swing open and in we would all be let in. The garden was owned by Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary, where each week a new adventure would take place. It seems that all the animals in the Herb garden (Parsley, Dill, Sage) could see us watching, but none of the people (Sir Basil, Lady Rosemary etc.) could, which would really confuse Bayleaf as he wanted to know what Parsley was waving at. Each of the characters were named after a herb and they all had a song to sing us, see below for more details. The Herbs Characters Parsley the Lion "I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley" Parsley is a lovable Green Lion, whose mane and tail are made out of the herb parsley (hence the name). He is the one that shows us around the garden and loves waving to the viewers. He's not a brave lion and hides whenever there is trouble/danger around or when strangers appear.

He was once called Doctor Parsley when he combined herbs with the jumpers Aunt Mint knitted for the chives, and it cured their colds. Parsley also doesn't like to get his tail wet or climb, as he found out when climbing the Tarragon Plant. He pretended to climb it the first time, but only snuck across to the neighbouring tree and back down it again. Shame he got caught and had to climb it for real. But he did have fun playing in the clouds. He made Sir Basil suffer when he shot his tail off, as he pretended to be dead. Poor Sir Basil didn't know what to do, so as usual shouted for Lady Rosemary, who saw Parsley was faking it. His best friend is Dill the dog and both of them seem to get themselves into trouble. But once in a while Parsley does come up with a good idea, such as the time he persuaded Pashana Bedhi to use his snake charming skills to float Sage and his nest back in the tree.

"I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley with a tail for doing jobs of every kind but I mustn't treat it roughly or too harshly for it's such a useful thing to have behind" His songs are: "I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley I am always very glad to see you wave but please don't shout or speak to me too harshly because I'm not particularly brave" "I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley I really don't like climbing things at all so please don't shout or speak to me too harshly I am sure you wouldn't want to see me fall" "I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley I'm supposed to pull this rope and ring the bell though I try to pull it gently never harshly I'm afraid that I'm not doing very well" "For today I'm known as Doctor Parsley because the Chives have aches and pains and chills if I treat them very gently never harshly they will very soon be cured of all their ills" "If you take advice from Doctor Parsley you take camomile for colds and tooth ache too if you find your skin is itching rather harshly then some marigolds the very thing for you" "I'm

 a very friendly Lion called <sniff> <sniff> but sometimes I feel very very <sniff> so please don't shout or speak to me too <sniff> <sniff> for I'm sure you wouldn't want to see me <sniff>" Dill the Dog "I'm Dill the dog, I'm a dog called Dill" Dill as a rather scruffy little dog.

He never seems to be tired (a bit hyperactive) and is always running around, most of the time in circles trying to catch his tail. His owner is Sir Basil and he lives in a kennel in the garden. Both him and Parsley are always getting in trouble. Parsley is his best friend, oh and bones. His songs are: "I'm Dill the dog, I'm a dog called Dill I'm rather small and furry and I'm often in a hurry" "I'm Dill the dog, I'm a dog called Dill Though my tail I'd love to get I have never caught it yet" Sir Basil "I am Sir Basil, the King of the Herbs, and I'm very often in trouble" Sir Basil owns the estate that herb garden is in (together with Lady Rosemary). He likes to hunt, shoot or fish, so is mostly seen about with a shotgun or a fishing rod. But he doesn't always notice what's going on around him and things 'happen to him'. Such as the time he got in trouble for accidentally shooting Parsley's tail off. Also it is very easy to play tricks on him.

If something happens to someone else, then he isn't the right person to be around, as he is the most unsympathetic person - 'You've only got yourself to blame' he keeps saying. Also he likes everyone else to do his work for him. His songs are: "I am Sir Basil, the King of the Herbs and I'm very often in trouble I'm not very good at sorting things out and often I get in a muddle" "I am Sir Basil, the King of the Herbs and I'm Hunting and Shooting and Fishing But when there is any hard work to be done You'll notice I'm generally missing" Lady Rosemary "My name is Lady Rosemary" She is Sir Basil's wife and is a bit of a busy-body and is the one in the driving seat in their marriage. If Sir Basil is in trouble, he goes straight to Lady Rosemary for help and she takes control of the situation. She is always ordering everybody around and I'm surprised if she has many friends. She seems to have the herb rosemary in her hat (then again, it could be flowers).

"My name is Lady Rosemary you will find you can't fool me I have eyes both sharp and quick to help me see through every trick" "My name is Lady Rosemary I am tall and willowy Though my manner may seem cold I really have a heart of gold" Bayleaf "I'm Bayleaf the Gardener" Bayleaf is the gardener hired by Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary to look after the garden. He is a fountain of all knowledge concerning herbs. If he is cornered to do something he doesn't want to do, then he will always suggest someone else (and nearly everyone agrees on the person he picks!). He is never around when Sir Basil wants him and always seems to enjoy any misfortune that Sir Basil get in (as he always seems to make some sarcastic comment that no one else picks up on). He even dropped a rock on Sir Basil's toes by accident (or was it?). He also speaks with a strong English country accent and wears a Bay Leaf in his hat.

"I'm Bayleaf the Gardener I work from early dawn you'll find me sweeping up the leaves and tidying the lawn" Constable Knapweed "I am Constable Knapweed and I keep Law and Order" Constable Knapweed is a policeman, who always seems to be patrolling the Herb Garden. Why he patrols this all the time, I don't know. Maybe he's been employed by Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary (sounds like he's on the take to me). He seems to want to arrest people all the time even when they are obviously innocent and makes up lots of stupid rules to book people (he gives the police a bad name). His songs are: "I am Constable Knapweed and I keep Law and Order I watch to see that all is well along the garden border" Sage "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage" Sage is a rather grumpy owl. He doesn't do much, apart from sleep in his nest. No wonder he is grumpy, as he was forced by Sir Basil / Lady Rosemary / Bayleaf to hatch an egg (which gave him cramp).

Also he lost his nest when Sir Basil shot it out of the tree, so you can tell that they get on. Well, they did try to get Sage and his nest back in the tree, but no one thought of climbing up the tree and putting them back, Oh, no. Instead they tried to shoot him up there with a see-saw (very sensible). Eventually Pashana Bedhi used his snake charming skills to get them back up the tree! Sage doesn't own much, apart from an Umbrella to keep him dry, as he hates the rain, and a case (for what, I don't know).

His songs are: "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage I'm not at all happy in fact in a rage It's bad enough having ones home all upset But to make matters worse all my feathers are wet" "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage Let me tell you I've never set foot in a cage To be truthful I've not got the slightest desire To be covered in wood, held together by wire" "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage Let me tell you I've never yet earned any wage and truthfully I've always found it was best to sit up this tree in my second hand nest" "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage I've had to sit still for simply an age to be truthful I'm not fond of hatching out eggs there is so little room I get cramp in my legs" Pashana Bedhi "I am Pashana Bedhi, very good snake charmer" Pashana Bedhi is an Indian snake charmer. He wears traditional Indian clothes, which is surprising as the weather in Britain is a bit too cold (but then again, it is a magic garden).

He wears a turban and sleeps on a bed of nails. He left his Magic Whistle Pipe lying around and Parsley got revenge of Sir Basil / Lady Rosemary / Bayleaf and whistled them into a nearby tree. Mr Onion Mr Onion is the father of the chives. He has so many children, that he has decided to teach them all himself. He speaks to his children like a Sergeant Major - barking out orders!! (bossy devil!). Mrs Onion Mrs Onion is the mother of the chives. The always seems to be crying, mostly because she is an Onion (the smell makes her cry!!). The Chives "Because there are so many chives all looking like each other" The Chives are ordered around like soldiers by Mr Onion. They have a unique way of counting, by standing up and lying down when they add and subtract.

Their songs are: "Because there are so many chives all looking like each other it makes it even hard to tell a sister from a brother" Tarragon "I'm Tarragon the Dragon, I'd better make it clear" Tarragon is a dragon, who appeared when Bayleaf spilled plant food on the Tarragon Plant, which grew to the size of a beanstalk. At the top of the enormous Tarragon Plant was an egg in a nest (found by Parsley). Sage was forced to sit on the egg and Tarragon the Dragon hatched from it. Tarragon likes to set things on fire. He burnt Constable Knapweed's notebook, Sage's Umbrella and Sir Basil's Shotgun handle. But again Parsley came to the rescue and brought out Belladonna's Broomstick. Try as he might, Tarragon couldn't set fire to the broomstick and he got so upset about this, that he cried and put his own fire out. Lady Rosemary and Sir Basil decided to give him a home and he lives in a box in their house.

His songs are: "I'm Tarragon the Dragon, I'd better make it clear that nothings safe when I'm about things seem to disappear" Belladonna "Belladonna is my name, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha" Belladonna is an evil witch, who is also known as Deadly Nightshade and she is very poisonous. She appears in a flash that sends the sky dark for a moment. She does look like your typical witch - Black Hat, Hook Nose, Cauldron She tried to change everyone in the herb garden to weeds, by getting them all to drink her homemade wine. Parsley knew it wasn't good stuff and tried to make sure the others didn't drink any, but she turned him into a weed. Also Lady Rosemary and Sir Basil drank the wine and turned into weeds. But Dill could smell a witch and could see through her disguise, as the herb Dill is used to ward off witches. Belladonna was scared of Dill and tried to make an escape on her broomstick. But she doesn't know the difference between a normal broom and a witches broomstick and boy, did she crash!

After all this excitement, Bayleaf accidentally used the broom to turn the others back into their old selves. Her songs are: "Belladonna is my name, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha I'm the deadly nightshade flower I shall never be content, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha till all the herbs are in my power, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha Miss Jessop "I'm a very neat herb and my name is Miss Jessop" This is a herb, that you don't want to be around. She is so bossy and complains about everything. She even complains that there is dust on the flowers! She upset so many people that Bayleaf grew her a husband to get rid of her. Good King Henry "Good King Henry stands before you, such a Royal and Regal figure" Good King Henry was grown by Bayleaf to be the husband that Miss Jessop could boss around (poor man!). Bayleaf put too much plant food on the plant, so he grew too fat in the greenhouse and couldn't get out. So Parsley made the greenhouse into a carriage and wheeled him to Miss Jessop (thanks to Belladonna's magic).

Signor Solidago "My name, we say is Signor Solidago" He is an Italian singer, that gives singing lessons. But he doesn't seem to do very well when teaching Sage and Parsley! Aunt Mint "My name is Aunty Mint" Aunt Mint is famous for her knitting skills and given half a chance she would try to knit your anything. It takes her no time at all to make something, she volunteered to knit all the Chives a jumper when they caught a cold. The trouble is she fell asleep and Dill played with the balls of wool and when she woke up she found she was wrapped up in the wool (naughty dog!). But she blamed Parsley who was walking by at the time.

Her songs are: "My name is Aunty Mint if you should see me sitting they'll think I'm doing nothing for I'm busy with my knitting" "My name is Aunty Mint I fear that I'm in trouble for someone's messed up all my wool and got it in a muddle" "My name is Aunty Mint I'm always very busy I often have so much to knit it makes me feel quite dizzy" The Herbs Images (click to enlarge) The Herbs T-Shirts - NONE The Herbs DVDs Region 2 (Europe) - The Herbs DVDs Region 1 (USA) - NONE The Herbs Episodes Series 1 (1968) 1. Parsley's Tail 2. Sage's Nest Blows Down 3. Belladonna the Witch 4. Tarragon and the Eggs 5. The Chives Catch Colds 6. Pashana Bedhi the Snake Charmer 7. Miss Jessop Tidies Up 8. Parsley and the Circus Lion 9. Sage's Singing Lesson 10. Strawberry Picking 11. Sir Basil's Fishing Expedition 12.

The Show 13. Parsley's Birthday Party The Herbs Video Intro The Herbs featuring Parsley the Lion I'm a Dog called Dill, though my tail I'd love to get, I've never caught it yet. Sage the Owl in a party hat. I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage, I've been sitting here now for simply an age, I'm ready and waiting to go to the treat, and I'm hoping there will be plenty to eat. Mr Onion spent most of his time teaching the chives, Mrs Onion spent most of her time crying. There were 8 chives altogether. Because there are so many chives, all looking like each other, it makes it even hard to tell, a sister from a brother. Pashan Bedhi the resident Asian who was either cooking curry, snake charming or sleeping on his bed of nails. Tarragon the Dragon was his friend who was always setting fire to things with his firey breath. The Herbs (TV Series 1968–1972) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later.

X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Animated adventures of characters in a herb garden, such as Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary, Bayleaf the gardener, Sage the owl, Dill the dog and Parsley the lion. Creator: a list of 172 titles created 02 Mar 2012 a list of 307 titles created 05 Jan 2013 a list of 39 titles created 29 Apr 2014 a list of 699 titles created 09 Aug 2014 a list of 180 titles created 8 months ago Search for " The Herbs " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Title: The Herbs (1968–1972) 8.1/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Edit Storyline Animated adventures of characters in a herb garden, such as Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary, Bayleaf the gardener, Sage the owl, Dill the dog and Parsley the lion.

12 February 1968 (UK) See more » Company Credits (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews I love the herbs so much I got the video for my 18th birthday!!!! Parsley the lion was great. He used to sing this cute song, 'I'm a very friendly Lion called Parsley', and he was always getting tired and having a nap. He had a friend called Dill the dog who was really hyperactive. There were other characters too. Mr & Mrs Onion and their little chives. There was a lady too, but I can't remember her name. Also BellaDonna the witch. I remember that to enter the garden, you had to say the magic word, which was always some Latin gardening word. This was a great programme for children. It taught you a bit about the herbs and vegetables in the garden, like the onion were always crying! I wish there was better stuff on TV for kids today. 7 of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes The Herbs,Parsley the Lion characters The Herbs and The Adventures of Parsley Classic BBC kid's animation by Michael Bond On this page .....

All appeared in The Herbs,& most in the sequel. ( NOTE- the differences between the 2 series are detailed here ) PASHANA BEDHI Conspiracy theory No.1,231,764..........Pashana Bedhi is quite possibly the reason The Herbs will never appear again on the BBC. Discuss. Whilst it's obviously true that all the human characters are accentuated charicatures,the race issue seems to put Pashana into a different ballpark. A human version of Sir Basil would probably find his boozey,airhead counterpart quite amusing.But I'm not so sure Pashana would evoke the same response,with his obligatory "goodness gracious me" comedy accent,bed of nails,and a penchant for snake charming and a good curry. And it's hard to see what else is preventing the Beeb from showing re-runs,because the show's characters and setting are timeless.As are Michael Bond's scripts -the quality of which would also put most modern kids' shows to shame.

But,with Pashana in it,maybe that's a bit like trying to sell someone a bucket with "only one hole" Yes,they were shown on C4 as recently as the late 90's.(Even though you could probably get away with anything at 7am on a Sunday morning.) And,yes,they may well pop up on satellite or cable stations (same proviso) But I can't help feeling they're in a dusty box at Broadcasting House marked "too sensitive".Probably rubbing shoulders with the likes of "It Ain't Half Hot Mum",and Spike Milligan's "Q8" amongst others. So.........theory No.1,231,764 may well be a load of old tosh.But I doubt too many people would be surprised if it wasn't. 1) "I am Peshana Bedhi,very good at snake charming. Snakes that have by me been charmed,will not anyone be harming." 2) "I am Peshana Bedhi,very good at cooking nicely.

All that has by me been cooked,surely will be hot and spicey" PARSLEY In "The Herbs",he's a friendly,but timid lion,who doesn't speak and can't even really be described as the main character.But in the sequel he's given a voice and is totally transformed into an intelligent,thoughtful and laidback counterbalance to Dill's "act now,think later" shenanigans.And,unlike The Herbs,they completely take centre stage. In the sequel,he's a watcher rather than a "do-er" and he's given a nice sardonic turn of phrase and plenty of acerbic lines. And the Tony Hancock-style delivery has striking similarities with Dougal,of Magic Roundabout fame. But whilst Eric Thompson also voiced Dougal to sound like Hancock too,Parsley is given a more upper class voice,which is actually very reminiscent of another laconic and famous man of the time,Patrick Cargill,of " Father, Dear Father " tv fame.

It's no surprise that someone so urbane can also read and write (with pen in mouth).And he's often seen consulting "my book" (pic 2) -an encyclopedia that magically appears to the accompaniment of a flash of light and a "ting" sound when he raises and lowers a paw - and a very handy and well-used narrative device it is too. Here's his main song,plus a slight variation that was also used. (Note - character songs were dropped for the sequel. And all the differences between the 2 series are detailed on this page ) 1) "I'm a very friendly lion called Parsley,I am always very glad to see you wave. But please don't shout or speak to me too harshly, because I'm not particularly brave." 2) "I'm a very friendly lion called Parsley,with a tail for doing jobs of every kind. But I mustn't treat it roughly or too harshly,for it's such a useful thing to have behind." DILL Merely a friend to Parsley in "The Herbs",he morphs into a full-blown sidekick and confidante in the sequel.

In both series he provides a real burst of childlike energy and enthusiasm that many of those watching can relate to.And his sheer zest for life means he invariably throws himself into things without thinking them through.Something that's used to good comedic effect of course. But it's the sequel where he really comes into his own,when he's given a voice to replace the yapping and panting heard in The Herbs.He provides much of the narrative impetus,and is the main source of Parsley's observational dry humour. He's far more than an Ernie Wise though,and gets plenty of good lines himself.And whilst he may be impetuous he's certainly not stupid and is more than capable of holding his own in a verbal joust. Moments of quiet reflection and insight also act as a nice counterweight to all his scurrying about.And he's given a gentle child-like voice and is animated in a very sympathetic and playful way.So he actually comes across as extremely disarming rather than annoying. The Herb Garden's very own naughty-but-nice child. 1) "I'm Dill the dog,I'm a dog called Dill.

Though my tail I'd love to get,I've never caught it yet !" 2) "I'm Dill the dog,I'm a dog called Dill. I'm rather small and furry,and often in a hurry." 3) "I'm Dill the dog,I'm a dog called Dill. On bones I love to chew,I can eat up quite a few." SAGE Completeing the main trio of animals,Sage is the wonderfully surreal looking owl who always gets out of the nest the wrong side.He puts up with numerous interruptions to his generally sedentary life style.Interruptions he could well do without and which are usually accompanied by some irritated squawks and wing flapping. Flapping,but never any flying (too time-consuming to animate) Although you get the feeling he really couldn't be bothered to make the effort anyway.Or if he could,he'd probably clear off permanently to somewhere far more peaceful ! As with his fellow animal characters,he's only given a speaking voice in the sequel- a wonderfully idiosyncratic and suitably crotchety one which fits him perfectly (a running theme with all the voices you'll note).

That said,he doesn't actually say a great deal and is a relatively peripheral figure in both series.So it's a testimony to his impact that he's so well-remembered.Cuddly in his own strange way,but with that extra bit of edge and attitude.A sort of ornithological Victor Meldrew and generally not as well recognised in kids' animation history as he should be. Although that's maybe because his demeanour strikes more of a chord with adults than kids I'd imagine. 1) "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage,let me tell you I've never been set foot in a cage. To be truthful I've not felt the slightest desire,to be covered in wood held together by wire." 2) "I'm a rather fat feathery owl called Sage,I'm not at all happy,in fact in a rage. It's bad enough having ones' home all upset,but to make matters worse,all my feathers are wet." (all ended with a disgruntled squawk !) SIR BASIL & LADY ROSEMARY This husband and wife duo are the owners of the estate in which the garden sits and presumably live in the big house-although we never get to see it.

They're far more prominent in the original series,but do still pop up from time-to-time in the sequel. Sir Basil is the bumbling Lord of the Manor.Hopelessly dim,but harmless enough when he doesn't have a gun in his hands. In fact,a very likeable fool really and more than happy to let Lady R wear the trousers.Which is appropriate because you get the feeling that by the time he'd figured out which way round they should go,she'd have had a pair specially made in the colonies,shipped over and fitted...and all before breakfast.Or,at least,made damn sure someone else did ! Without her around you'd imagine the whole garden would quickly descend into chaos.And to go with her decision-making and organisational skills,she's also blessed with more grey matter than Basil,Bayleaf and Knapweed put together -which admittedly isn't saying a great deal. 2 classic stereotypes of the British aristocracy.And so acutely well observed in their appearance,that if you only saw a picture of them without hearing them speak,you'd pretty much know what to expect.......and you'd be right. Their songs are a particularly good appraisal of their characters too.......

1) "I am Sir Basil,King of all the herbs,I like huntin',shootin' & fishin'. But if there's any hard work to be done,you'll notice I'm generally missin'." 2) "I am Sir Basil,King of all the herbs,I'm very often in trouble. I'm not very good at sortin' things out,and often I get in a muddle." 1) "My name is Lady Rosemary,you'll find you cannot fool me. I have eyes both sharp and quick,to help me see through every trick." 2) "My name is Lady Rosemary,I am tall and willowy. Though my manner may seem cold,I really have a heart of gold." BAYLEAF The resident gardener charged with keeping everything looking good. Think of an exaggerated version of The Wurzels (as if that were possible !),and substitute a combined harvester for a wheelbarrow and you've got yer man.

He's not the brightest bloom in the flower bed and his ramblings are often cut short by an impatient Lady Rosemary.But he's a decent enough sort,and a hard worker who only tolerates the antics of Parsley and Dill because he has to.( "If you ask me, there's some of us would be better employed using their paws helpin' in the garrrrden !") In fact,he's never far away from a moan or a reminisce about the "old days" but remains totally likeable throughout.And,like Constable Knapweed,he's got the dual attraction of being a good straightman and amusing in his own right.Which makes them very valuable members of both series. "I'm Bayleaf I'm the gardener,I work from early dawn. You find me sweeping up the leaves,and tidying the lawn." (an affirming "arrrr" to end) CONSTABLE KNAPWEED Very much a by-the-book kind of guy,he's supposedly there to see order is maintained. But despite his endless note-taking and posturing,an awful lot still goes on regardless.And he's clearly no better at prevention than he is at detection.

Fortunately,like any pompous authority figure he's perfectly set up for providing laughs at his own expense.And the thick Yorkshire accent and Victorian-style whiskers and uniform set it all off beautifully.Like many of the human participants he's a timeless characature classic.And a bonus mark goes to anyone who remembered he was a redhead ?! "I am Constable Knapweed,and I keep law and order. I watch to see that all is well,along the garden border." AUNT MINT She spends all her time frantically knitting whilst sitting in a rocking chair that conveniently moves around the garden as and when she's required for a scene.Which usually means when she's required to knit something to order,like a balaclava hat for Sage's birthday present etc.(well,if he can get away with wearing a pithe helmet,why not ?!) I'm not sure she ever really hit the mark actually and perhaps could have been used to better effect as a more cuddly confidante to all and sundry.As opposed to the rather angular looking and detached character we actually get. These days,I'm struck by her resemblance to Postman Pat ! And no coincidence that Ivor Woods was responsible for both.

1) "My name is Auntie Mint.If you should see me sitting don't think I'm doing nothing,for I'm busy with my knitting. 2) "My name is Aunt Mint,I'm always very busy, I often have so much to knit,it makes me feel quite dizzy." MR. & MRS. ONION and THE CHIVES The Onions are the Chives' parents and Mr.Onion takes it upon himself to be their school teacher as well -an open air classroom in the garden,with a suitably old-fashioned mix of wooden desks, blackboard on an easel,and satchels on their backs. His wife spends most of her time as an onlooker and usually in tears-just to cement the onion analogy.But fear not, because it's explained that "the happier she is,the more she cries" -which is handy. The 12 chives don't have mouths and consequently never speak.Although we do hear collective off screen cheers and background noise from them when the need arises.They're also identical as near as damn it.And whilst that saved the animators a lot of time worrying about continuity issues it didn't help to make them particularly memorable.

So,the undeniable star of this little grouping is Mr.O,as he appears the most and has a memorable authoritarian drill-sargeant delivery -as witnessed by this lovely bit of dialogue from the Birthday Party episode :-"a good time will be 'ad by all.No stuffing yourselves with cakes iced,buns currant or trifles cream!" Notice the silent "h" ,as in "'orrible" and you should be able to put a voice to 'im without the need for the hearing thereof (although don't be tempted to lapse into cockney) But it's actually only the chives who get a song,athough they're clearly in most need of a bit of lyrical clarification.And they're actually done no favours by being modelled closest to the plants they're supposed to represent. But with the onset of GM crops,perhaps all our onions will end up looking like that. "Because there are so many herbs,all looking like each other. It makes it even hard to tell,a sister from a brother." (animator's in-joke) Mrs Onion is the least aesthetically pleasing of all the models and with the least personality.So it's little wonder she's always crying.

The chives may be upside down botanically speaking,but the roots provide a funky hairstyle.Although the whole family would clearly benefit from getting some sun! TARRAGON THE DRAGON In the original series,Bayleaf accidentally tips a pile of plant food onto a tarragon seed and it grows into a beanstalk with a giant egg on top.And in the absence of Jack,this is duely recovered by Parsley (lion's are good climbers),hatched by Sage (fair enough) and the resultant young dragon then finds a home with Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary (slightly less explainable). Being a dragon,he does have that rather unfortunate habit of torching things at random.Although we only ever see white smoke coming out of his nostrils as flames are notoriously difficult to represent using stop-motion animation. But,fortunately,kids of a nervous disposition are regularly reminded that he's only a small,young dragon.And he's also given a softly spoken voice complete with a very disarming lisp to make him even more palatable.And he makes a couple of appearances in the sequel as well. Trivia- he predates The Clangers Soup Dragon (below,right) by a year and isn't totally dissimilar in appearance- coincidence ?

"I'm Tarragon the dragon,I'd better make it clear,that nothing's safe when I'm about,things seem to disappear." BELLADONNA THE WITCH Unlike Tarragon,Michael Bond went for it big time with Belladonna-the full scarey witch bit -stooping gait,maniacal cackle.beady eyes,huge grotesque nose and "deary"-type old lady voice.Her "magic changes" are accompanied by a thunderclap and flashes of light and darkness,and her aim is garden domination.Why ? Because she's "the deadly nightshade flower" In short,a truely nasty piece of work,but sadly a bit too much for the Beeb who quickly requested she was dropped.So she never saw the end of The Herbs series nevermind the follow-up. Fortunately,in the episode she does appear,she mistakenly flies off on Bayleaf's broom and crashes,leaving her own magic broomstick behind.And very useful it is too,because each twig represents one magic power.Something which Michael Bond makes full use of whenever there's a plot difficulty.And one he's only too happy to acknowledge with this line ....... "Of course !

Bayleaf's magic broom.I don't know what they'd do without it sometimes !" -er,quite Michael.And just as well it was a nice bushy one,because it turns up in the sequel as well. "Belladonna is my name,I'm the deadly nightshade flower. I shall never be content,'till all the herbs are in my power." "She's done one of her magic changes.Even her best friend wouldn't recognise her.If she had a best friend -which I doubt." A lovely bit of writing.But you'd imagine it'd take a bit more than a change of clothing with a hooter like that. And you've got to respect Signor Solidgo if he can play the joanna with fingers like that. But why risk any disrespect when he looks like he might know some people who could slip a horse's head under your duvet. MISS JESSOP As a character who comes to stay with Sir B and Lady R.,we're told that ....... "She's very nice really,but she does like things to be neat and tidy.Not just ordinary tidy,but clean and tidy. She won't like the Herb garden if it looks untidy like this one." And indeed she doesn't !

A neatly dressed spinster,with a touch of the Edwardian governess. An O.C.D sufferer before it was even invented,she dusts plants with a pink feather duster and upsets everyone by being hyper-critical. And Bayleaf decides she needs a husband to sort her out (very 'new age' our Bayleaf !) So he takes matters into his own hands and .......... "I'm a very neat herb and my name is Miss Jessop,I like everything tidy and shining and clean. But all of the other herbs make such a mess-up,that sometimes the garden's not fit to be seen." ...........and GOOD KING HENRY is the result,as Bayleaf grows him from seed in his greenhouse. But he's too big to get out & they have to use the magic broom to turn the greenhouse into a carriage fit for a king so he doesn't have to.And whilst he may be minus a greenhouse,at least Bayleaf gets his cross-pollination right because Miss J and the King do indeed marry.And,apart from cameos in the Birthday Party episode,they ride off into tv oblivion.

All in all,a little bit of a strange diversion really,and with Lady Rosemary so firmly in charge there was only ever going to be one winner and 2 losers. And it's no coincidence that I've put these 2 at the bottom of the cast list to round off procedings.

Question: What was the name of the wise owl in the children's T.V. Programme The Herbs'
Answer: Sage